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 edged by the Church as the Head of the Apostles, and the Pastor of the whole flock of Christ.

16. Was the supremacy of a Head of the Church to cease after the death of St. Peter?

No; for, 1. If the Church was to continue as Christ had established it, the Rock also on which He had built it, and the Supremacy of a Head which He Himself had ordained to govern it, were to continue; and 2. If a visible Head was necessary when the Church was still small, and there were none, or but few heresies, it was much more necessary afterwards when the Church was spread, and heresies and schisms were multiplied.

17. Who has been the visible Head of the Church since the death of St. Peter?

The Bishop of Rome, commonly called the Pope, who is the lawful Successor of St. Peter in the Episcopal See of Rome, and who, in consequence, has always been acknowledged as the visible Head of the Church, and the Vicegerent of Christ on earth (Short Hist. of Revealed Rel., 31).